Angels, Yankees ALCS: All about the pitching
They were the two top scoring teams in the majors during the 2009 regular season, but for the Yankees and Angels, the ALCS will all boil down to pitching with the Game 2 matchup the most critical of all.
The two best teams in baseball hook up when the Yankees and Angels kick off the American League Championship Series on Friday night. While both clubs swept through the Division Series, what’s happened recently isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when handicapping the best-of-seven series.
You can’t help but think of the offseason moves these teams made heading into Game 1. After adding C.C. Sabathia and A.J. Burnett, the Yankees have arguably their best starting rotation of the decade. Mark Teixeira was plucked from the Angels, solidifying New York’s infield defense along with the middle of the batting order.
Kendry Morales has blossomed in his first full major league season at first base with Teixeira gone, and former Yankee Bobby Abreu has been a major influence on the way the Halos do business at the plate. Los Angeles scored 118 more runs this season than it did last year, and had 10 players with 100 or more hits.
The Angels were second in baseball in runs per game this season (5.45), trailing only the Yankees (5.65). It’s safe to say both teams have enough offense, so pitching is going to make or break the series. That said, both rotations match up evenly.
It’s going to be close, but Mariano Rivera and New York’s bolstered bullpen will be the difference in getting the Bronx Bombers to their first World Series since 2003.
ALCS: LA Angels (+150) at NY Yankees (-170)
The value is with the Halos in this series, but I can’t bet against the Yankees after looking at all the numbers. Don’t be surprised if L.A. wins it – because it’s certainly capable – but I don’t see it happening with the way the ALCS shapes up from a pitching perspective.
Rivera is a better closer than Brian Fuentes, and it goes without saying he’s got more of a playoff pedigree. But the key lies beyond the two men at the back of the ‘pen: Because of the series schedule, Joe Girardi has the luxury of going with a three-man starting rotation, allowing Joba Chamberlain and Chad Gaudin to pitch out of the bullpen. New York’s backend is now jacked, and it’s going to make the Yanks the profitable wager in the series.
Sabathia (1-0, 1.35 in the playoffs) starts in Friday night’s Game 1 (7:57 PM ET), Game 4 next Tuesday in Anaheim (7:57 PM ET), and in a potential Game 7. Only once (Game 4) does the big southpaw throw on three days rest.
Oddsmakers have New York as –165 moneyline chalk for the opener, with the total set at 8.5. Los Angeles is on the betting odds board as a +160 underdog, with John Lackey (1-0, 0.00 ERA) taking the ball for Mike Scioscia.
Burnett (0-0, 1.50 ERA) matches up with Joe Saunders in Saturday night’s Game 2 (7:57 PM ET), and this could be the key game in the set with Games 3, 4, and 5 scheduled for Angel Stadium. Saunders has yet to pitch in the postseason, but he’s cashed his last seven decisions for bettors after coming off the disabled list in August. For their part, the Yanks are 13-4 against the moneyline when Burnett starts at home this season.
Game 3 goes on Monday afternoon (4:13 PM ET), and pits Andy Pettitte (1-0, 1.42 ERA) against Jered Weaver (1-0, 1.23 ERA). Weaver is available for Game 2, but Los Angeles made the smart decision of holding him until the series shifts out west: The Halos are 13-5 against the moneyline in Weaver’s 18 outings at home, during which he’s posted a 2.72 ERA.
Scott Kazmir (0-0, 7.50 ERA) toes the rubber for L.A. in Game 4 on Tuesday (7:57 PM ET), with Sabathia returning to the hill for the Bombers. Roughed up in his start against Boston in the ALDS, Kazmir has pitched well since coming over to the Angels from Tampa Bay at the trade deadline, going 2-2 with a 1.71 ERA for Los Angeles during the regular season.
Game 5, if necessary, is set for next Thursday night (7:57 PM ET), with Games 6 and 7 slated for next weekend back at Yankee Stadium.
The teams split the 10-game season series, although only four contests were played in New York, where the Yankees went an MLB-best 57-25 during the regular season.
They were the two top scoring teams in the majors during the 2009 regular season, but for the Yankees and Angels, the ALCS will all boil down to pitching with the Game 2 matchup the most critical of all.
The two best teams in baseball hook up when the Yankees and Angels kick off the American League Championship Series on Friday night. While both clubs swept through the Division Series, what’s happened recently isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when handicapping the best-of-seven series.
You can’t help but think of the offseason moves these teams made heading into Game 1. After adding C.C. Sabathia and A.J. Burnett, the Yankees have arguably their best starting rotation of the decade. Mark Teixeira was plucked from the Angels, solidifying New York’s infield defense along with the middle of the batting order.
Kendry Morales has blossomed in his first full major league season at first base with Teixeira gone, and former Yankee Bobby Abreu has been a major influence on the way the Halos do business at the plate. Los Angeles scored 118 more runs this season than it did last year, and had 10 players with 100 or more hits.
The Angels were second in baseball in runs per game this season (5.45), trailing only the Yankees (5.65). It’s safe to say both teams have enough offense, so pitching is going to make or break the series. That said, both rotations match up evenly.
It’s going to be close, but Mariano Rivera and New York’s bolstered bullpen will be the difference in getting the Bronx Bombers to their first World Series since 2003.
ALCS: LA Angels (+150) at NY Yankees (-170)
The value is with the Halos in this series, but I can’t bet against the Yankees after looking at all the numbers. Don’t be surprised if L.A. wins it – because it’s certainly capable – but I don’t see it happening with the way the ALCS shapes up from a pitching perspective.
Rivera is a better closer than Brian Fuentes, and it goes without saying he’s got more of a playoff pedigree. But the key lies beyond the two men at the back of the ‘pen: Because of the series schedule, Joe Girardi has the luxury of going with a three-man starting rotation, allowing Joba Chamberlain and Chad Gaudin to pitch out of the bullpen. New York’s backend is now jacked, and it’s going to make the Yanks the profitable wager in the series.
Sabathia (1-0, 1.35 in the playoffs) starts in Friday night’s Game 1 (7:57 PM ET), Game 4 next Tuesday in Anaheim (7:57 PM ET), and in a potential Game 7. Only once (Game 4) does the big southpaw throw on three days rest.
Oddsmakers have New York as –165 moneyline chalk for the opener, with the total set at 8.5. Los Angeles is on the betting odds board as a +160 underdog, with John Lackey (1-0, 0.00 ERA) taking the ball for Mike Scioscia.
Burnett (0-0, 1.50 ERA) matches up with Joe Saunders in Saturday night’s Game 2 (7:57 PM ET), and this could be the key game in the set with Games 3, 4, and 5 scheduled for Angel Stadium. Saunders has yet to pitch in the postseason, but he’s cashed his last seven decisions for bettors after coming off the disabled list in August. For their part, the Yanks are 13-4 against the moneyline when Burnett starts at home this season.
Game 3 goes on Monday afternoon (4:13 PM ET), and pits Andy Pettitte (1-0, 1.42 ERA) against Jered Weaver (1-0, 1.23 ERA). Weaver is available for Game 2, but Los Angeles made the smart decision of holding him until the series shifts out west: The Halos are 13-5 against the moneyline in Weaver’s 18 outings at home, during which he’s posted a 2.72 ERA.
Scott Kazmir (0-0, 7.50 ERA) toes the rubber for L.A. in Game 4 on Tuesday (7:57 PM ET), with Sabathia returning to the hill for the Bombers. Roughed up in his start against Boston in the ALDS, Kazmir has pitched well since coming over to the Angels from Tampa Bay at the trade deadline, going 2-2 with a 1.71 ERA for Los Angeles during the regular season.
Game 5, if necessary, is set for next Thursday night (7:57 PM ET), with Games 6 and 7 slated for next weekend back at Yankee Stadium.
The teams split the 10-game season series, although only four contests were played in New York, where the Yankees went an MLB-best 57-25 during the regular season.